Insulating concrete form apparatus

ABSTRACT

An insulating concrete form system uses a stacked arrangement of foam panels to receive pourable concrete to construct a concrete wall of a building structure. Webs located in the panels hold the panels in parallel spaced relation. The webs have laterally extending ties. The ties have one or more projecting members having arms extending into grooves adapted to receive rebar. Outwardly extending truss member are used to fasten multiple webs during shipping. Couplings releasably connect the ties to end portions of the web and allow the ties to be moved along the length of the end portions as desired.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/577,841 filed Sep. 20, 2019. U.S. application Ser. No. 16/577,841claims the priority of U.S. application Ser. No. 62/734,713 filed Sep.21, 2018.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The technology of the invention relates to insulating concrete formsystems used in construction of poured concrete walls in buildingstructures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally construction and fabrication of poured concrete walls haveused insulating concrete form systems utilizing a stacked arrangement offoam panels to form a preferred shape of an interior cavity forreceiving pourable concrete. The panels may be made from rigid foaminsulation, or any other material used to insulate a building andcapable of maintaining a form for concrete pouring. The panels arereversible, modular, and may be stacked in an offset manner to form anyheight wall. Traditional construction methods often attempt to form asimilar finished wall product using fewer points of connectivityresulting in substantial difficulty during the construction process.Each individual panel in traditional methods did not attempt to connectto adjoining units with enough structure to withstand the pressures ofshipping, pouring of the concrete, wear over time. In other prior art,individual units required too much force to disassemble where a sectionof the wall required revision. There is a need for an insulated concreteform which provides enough structure to withstand shipping and assemblywhile allowing for easy disassembly and correction of mistakes duringconstruction.

Sparkman in U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,971 shows an insulating concrete formsystem having a pair of foam panels connected together with a connector.The connector has a pair of elongated anchor members each embeddedlongitudinally inside a corresponding foam panel. Sparkman employs asubstantially dissimilar cavity for accommodating concrete which resultsin heavier and thicker final walls.

Philippe in U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,933 shows an insulating constructionform having panels with top and bottom surfaces and interconnectingmembers comprising alternating protrusions and recesses on the top andbottom surfaces. Philippe does not allow for any variation to the sizeand placement of the ties along the length of the wall, and is thereforenot able to accommodate differing pressures during the concrete pouringprocess.

Cymbala et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,714 shows an insulating concreteform system having a pair or parallel foam panels spaced using aplurality of plastic ties. Each tie has two laterally opposed supportsconnected together with a web. The ties and panels are formed in amolded-in configuration. Cymbala et al does not contemplate structure toovercome the forces present during shipping or handling which may warpor otherwise damage the web material prior to final assembly at theconstruction site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The insulating concrete form apparatus has a pair of panels with atleast one web extending between the panels. Each panel is located inspaced relationship relative to each other. The panels each have a topsurface and a bottom surface. First protrusions form a part of the topsurface. Second protrusions form a part of the bottom surface. The firstprotrusions are aligned with the second protrusions such that the panelscan be stacked either above or below additional pairs of panels. Thefirst protrusions are in symmetry with the second protrusions. The webhas an end portion. The end portion extends vertically along one of thepanel. The end portion has an inner support and an outer support locatedin spaced relationship with the inner support. The end portion has atruss member extending between the inner support and the outer support.The web has one or more ties extending to the end portion. The tie isreleasably connected to the end portion whereby the tie can be connectedto the one end portion at any point on the end portion. The tie has acoupling having one or more pins releasably connecting the tie to theend portion and allowing the coupling to be moved vertically relative tothe end portion. The coupling has a channel to allow said the tie toremain in lateral position relative to the end portion while the pin isbeing moved vertically relative to said the end portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the insulating concrete form of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an elevated side view of the insulating concrete form of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the insulating concrete form of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the insulating concrete form of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged foreshortened front elevational view of a tie ofthe insulating concrete form of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged foreshortened perspective view of a connectorassembly movably mounting a tie to an end portion of a web located in afoam panel of the insulating concrete form of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged foreshortened perspective view of a lower portionof a web of the insulating concrete form of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged foreshortened perspective view of a fastener forinterlocking insulating concrete forms of FIG. 1 in stacked relation;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of a first modification of the webof the insulating concrete form of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged foreshortened perspective view of the web of FIG.10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged foreshortened perspective view of an upperportion of the web of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a second modification of the webof the insulating concrete form of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is an exploded front elevational view of a third modification ofthe web of the insulating concrete form of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the coupling of the web ofFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged foreshortened perspective view of an upperportion of the web of FIG. 14; and

FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of a modification of thecoupling of the web of FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description and drawing of the insulating concrete formapparatus are embodiments in which the invention may be used. Otherembodiments of insulating concrete forms including structural changescan be made without departing from the invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 to5, a first embodiment of an insulating concrete form, indicatedgenerally at 20, has a pair of panels 21 and 22 configured to receivepourable concrete to create a concrete wall in a building structure. Aplurality of webs 23 extend between foam panels 21 and 22 to connect andhold panels 21 and 22 in parallel spaced relation. The panels may be setat any variable width relative to each other in order to createdifferent desirable width walls. Webs 23 are semi-rigid molded plasticmembers. Webs 23 may be of any variable height or length to accommodatediffering width or height walls. Panel 21 may sit at any variabledistance from corresponding panel 22 to form curving walls, cornerwalls, walls of tapering or increasing thickness, or any desiredvariation of concrete wall. Other materials and methods can be used tomake webs 23 or foam panels 21 and 22.

Panels 21 and 22 have top surfaces 24 and 26 and bottom surfaces 27 and28 opposite from top surfaces 24 and 26. Top surfaces 24 and 26 have aplurality of protrusions 29 and 31 which are aligned and in mirrorsymmetry to protrusions disposed on corresponding stacked upper andlower panels. Bottom surfaces 27 and 28 have a plurality of alternatingprotrusions 34 and 36 and intervals 37 and 38. Intervals 32 and 33 areformed between protrusions 29 and 31 and are positioned to accommodateprotrusions from panels stacked either above or below panels 21 and 22.Protrusions 29, 31, 34 and 36 and intervals 32, 33, 37 and 38 aresimilarly sized and complementary in shape configured to cooperate withadjoining protrusions and intervals along opposite top and bottomsurfaces 24, 26, 27 and 28 allowing insulating concrete form 20 to bereversible in use. Top surfaces 24 and 26 are in mirror symmetry withbottom surfaces 27 and 28 such that each individual foam panel may beinverted and still fit in cooperation with adjacent foam panels.

In a first embodiment, web 23 has ties 42 and 43 extending between andconnected to end portions 44 and 46 of web 23. End portions 44 and 46extend substantially the entire height of panel 21 such that each endportion 44 and 46 connect and support corresponding end portions frompanels stacked above and below panel 21. Tie 42 has one or moreprojecting members 49 to 54, 70 and 71, and tie 43 has one or moreprojecting members 10 to 17, adapted to receive and secure one or morereinforcing bars to strengthen and reinforce the concrete. Projectingmembers 49 to 54, 70 and 71 project toward the top of web 23, andprojecting members 10 to 17 project towards the bottom of web 23allowing web 23 to be reversible. In the preferred embodiment, thereinforcing bar may be one or more cylindrical steel rebar which extendlaterally across the length of the wall and attach to multiple webs,including web 23, via projecting members to reinforce the concrete.

In the preferred embodiment, projecting members 49 to 54, 70 and 71 oftie 42 and projecting members 10 to 17 of tie 43 are in alignment withprojecting members of additional ties in panel 21 and panel 22 such thata cylindrical reinforcing bar may be attached to each tie along the wallwithout bending or other interruption. Where a curving wall or corner isdesired, each tie may sit in proportional alignment to allow reinforcingbar to follow the shape of the wall.

Referring to FIG. 6, tie 42 has a plurality of laterally spacedprojecting members 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54 that extend upwardly fromthe top 75 of tie 42 to define grooves 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 62 and 80 forreceiving and holding reinforcing bar. The lateral spacing of projectingmembers 49 to 54 is varied whereby grooves 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 62 and 80have varying widths to accommodate different sized reinforcing bar. Eachgroove 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 62, and 80 has a bottom 60 to allowreinforcing bar to rest in grooves 56, 57, 58, 61, 62 and 80. Grooves56, 57, 58, 61, 62 and 80 and bottom 60 may be of any desired width,height, or size such that they may allow reinforcing bar to be held inplace and rest in a groove. Projecting members 49 to 54 have a uniformheight. Projecting members 70, 71 may be slightly taller than projectingmembers 49 to 54 to allow easier application of reinforcing bar. Theheights of projecting members 49 to 54, 70, 71 can be made to vary asdesired.

Projecting members 49 to 54 each have a body 55, a base 65 and a headmember 63 joined to a centrally located rib member 64. Rib member 64extends downwardly from head member 63 to top 75 of tie 42. The outerends of head member 63 extend towards adjacent grooves 56, 57, 58, 59,61, 62 and 80. Head members 66 and 67 are located substantiallycentrally on and joined to rib member 64 where they curve downwardlyaway from rib member 64 in order to bias head member 66 and 67 againstupward forces acting on reinforcing bar. The outer ends of head members66 and 67 extend towards adjacent grooves 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 62 and 80inwardly from the outer ends of head member 63. The side walls of body55 are adapted to change in shape and deform upon application of forcesuch as when reinforcing bar is placed into grooves 56, 57, 58, 59, 61,62 and 80. The outer ends of head member 63 and head members 66 and 67and the deformation of the side walls of body 55 of projecting members49 to 54 prevent the reinforcing bar from moving upward and out ofgrooves 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 62 and 80. Projecting members 70 and 71consist of only rib members 64. In an alternative embodiment, projectingmembers 49 to 54 have a head member 63 attached to a rib member 64 and abody 55 with no additional head members. Body 55 deforms whenreinforcing bar is placed in a corresponding groove such that body 55takes on the shape and applies pressure to the reinforcing bar. In anadditional alternative embodiment, projecting members 49 to 54 have ahead member 63 and a rib member 64 with additional head members or body.In an additional alternative embodiment, head member 63 may projectlaterally from a rib member 64 towards one adjacent groove on tie 42.

Tie 43 may have projecting members 10 to 17 in vertical alignment withprojecting members 49 to 54 of tie 42 such that web 23 is reversible.The projecting members 10 to 17 of tie 43 are laterally spaced andproject downwardly from a bottom of tie 43 to define groovessubstantially similar to grooves 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 62 and 80 forreceiving and holding reinforcing bar. Where web 23 is reversed, theprojecting members 10 to 17 of tie 43 project upwardly from top of tie43 to define grooves substantially similar to grooves 56, 57, 58, 59,61, 62 and 80 for receiving and holding reinforcing bar.

Top 75 of tie 42 has depressions 68 and 69 for accommodating reinforcingcords used in construction. In the preferred embodiment, depressions 68and 69 are located adjacent upright projecting members 70 and 71.Projecting members 70 and 71 may facilitate placement of reinforcingcords in depressions 68 and 69. Depressions 68 and 69 are in alignmentwith adjacent webs in panel 21 and 22 such that reinforcing cords mayextend laterally the length of the wall without curvature orinterruption. Reinforcing cords may be made of any flexible materialsuch that they cooperate and are held in place by depressions 68 and 69.In the preferred embodiment, reinforcing cords are placed before theaddition of reinforcing bar to provide stability to webs to accommodatethe placement of reinforcing bar.

End portion 44 has an inner support 72 and an outer support 72 laterallyspaced from and extending parallel to inner support 72, as seen in FIG.5. Inner support 72 and outer support 73 are joined to a truss member 74that extends between inner support 72 and outer support 73. Truss member74 may also extend through inner support 72 to connect and support face90 of inner connector 95. The portion of truss member 74 extending pastinner support 72 is labeled truss member portion 109. Truss member 74and outer support 73 of end portion 44 are located within foam panel 21.Similarly, end portion 46 has an inner support 76 joined to an outersupport 77 via truss member 78 extending between inner support 76 andouter support 77. Truss member 78 and outer support 77 of end portion 46are located within panel 22. Ties 42 and 43 extend between, and aremovably mounted on, inner support 72 and corresponding outer support 76of end portions 44 and 46. Truss member 74 may alternatively consist ofseveral separate truss members oriented between outer support 77 andthrough inner support 76 to face 90.

Tie 42 has tab members 79 and 81 extending outwardly from tie 42 andoriented to separate tie 42 from adjacent ties during shipping. In thepreferred embodiment, tab members 79 and 81 are cylindrical shapedmembers that extend sideways from side 82 of tie 42. Side 82 may have acorresponding bore located opposite tab members 79 and 81 to receive tabmembers 79 and 81. Tab members 79 and 81 function to preserve the shapeof ties, prevent movement relative to one another, separate individualties, or prevent warping of ties during shipping. Tab members 79 and 81and their corresponding bores can be made to have other shapes. Tabmembers 79 and 81 may be of sufficient height to prevent tie 42 fromcoming in contact with adjacent stacked ties during shipping.

Indicia 30 located on exterior face 39 of panel 21 are in alignment withwebs 23 such that indicia 30 indicate the relative position and size ofouter support 73 of web 23. Indicia 30 are similar in shape andorientation to the outer face of end portion 44 in order to allow anobserver to quickly and easily locate webs 23 for manipulation of theentire structure. In this embodiment indicia 30 are rectangular in shapeand are located at spaced intervals corresponding to the location ofeach individual web.

Truss members 74 and 78 have a plurality of longitudinal rectangularshaped access slots 111 adapted to accommodate a strip member 112 tolaterally reinforce insulating concrete form 20. Prong members 113 and114 extend into and form access slot 111 and retain strip member 112 inslot 111. Strip member 112 is placed through opening 84 adjacent accessslot 111 and then moved over prong members 113 and 114 into slot 111.Strip members 112 have grooves 86 that align with prong members 113 and114 to allow strip member 112 to be moved into slot 111 with a frictionfit to laterally reinforce insulating concrete form 20 and preventseparation of panels due to hydrostatic pressure during a concrete pour.Strip member 112 may extend between multiple ties, and may extend aroundcorners to laterally reinforce multiple ties in insulated concrete form20.

The outer ends of inner supports 72 and 76 have vertical fasteners 87,88, 89 and 91 to connect end portions 44 and 46 of web 23 to adjacentend portions of webs of another insulating concrete form stacked on topof insulating concrete form 20 during wall construction. Verticalfasteners 87, 88, 89 and 91 have side portions 92 having teeth 93 forinterlocking with the teeth of vertical fasteners of adjacent webs ofanother insulating concrete form when stacked on insulating concreteform 20. Each vertical fastener 87, 88, 89 and 91 has a lower weakportion 94 located adjacent the outer ends of inner supports 72 and 76,as seen in FIG. 9. Vertical fasteners 87, 88, 89 and 91 are adapted tobend or fracture at weak portion 94 to allow interlocked insulatingconcrete forms to be easily separated as vertical fasteners 87, 88, 89and 91 can be disengaged with a reduced force.

Teeth 93 of vertical fasteners 87 and 88 extend in opposite lateraldirections on the outer ends of inner support 72 of end portion 44.Teeth 93 of vertical fasteners 89 and 91 extend in opposite lateraldirections on the outer ends of inner support 76 of end portion 46.Teeth 93 of vertical fasteners 88 and 89 extend in a lateral directionopposite from teeth 93 of fasteners 87 and 91 whereby insulatingconcrete form 20 is reversible and can be stacked in either orientationduring construction.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the outer ends of ties 42 and 43 have tieconnectors 96 adapted to connect ties 42 and 43 to end portions 44 and46 of web 23. Tie connector 96 has a channel shaped body 97 adapted toextend over and around inner connector 95 of inner supports 72 and 76 ofend portions 44 and 46. Inner connector 95 has a face 90 attached toinner support 72 by truss member portion 109 such that body 97 maycooperate and wrap around face 90. Truss member portion 109 is ofsufficient length to allow body 97 free vertical movement relative toinner support 72. Body 97 is movable along the length of inner connector95 of inner supports 72 and 76 to adjust in infinite increments thevertical positions of ties 42 and 43 within insulating concrete form 20from a vertical position adjacent the top of insulating concrete form 20to a vertical position adjacent the bottom of form 20, as needed. Ties42 and 43 can be moved to positions within insulating concrete form 20to allow additional ties to be connected to end portions 44 and 46 andlocated in form 20, if desired. Ties 42 and 43 may be slid down pastinsulated concrete form 20 to connect to adjacent insulated concreteforms either above or below insulated concrete form 20. Verticalfasteners 87, 88, 90, 91 create an uninterrupted continuous structure ofcooperating face 90, and vertically adjacent faces, to allow forcontinuous movement of ties 42 and 43 to further insulated concreteforms.

Inner connectors 95 on inner supports 72 and 76 have a series ofvertically spaced indentations 98. Indentations 98 have an inwardlycurving shape. Indentations 98 can be made to have a rectangular channelshape or other shapes. A catch member 99 attached to body 97 has anextended portion 101 adapted to extend into a selected indentation 98 ofinner connector 95 to maintain the vertical positions of ties 42 and 43and lock ties 42 and 43 into measured increments within insulatingconcrete form 20. Extended portion 101 has a complimentary shape to anda friction fit with indentations 98. Catch member 99 has a resilientbase portion 100 adapted to bias extended portion 101 into indentation98. Catch member 99 is moved outwardly away from inner connector 95 tomove extended portion 101 out of indentation 98 to release catch member99. Catch member 99 can be made to have a flexible portion, or hinge, toallow catch member 99 to be released.

End portions 42 and 46 have fasteners 102, 103, 104 and 106 extendingoutwardly from truss members 74 and 78 for securing a plurality of websduring shipping. Fasteners 102, 103, 104 and 106 have a pair of barmembers 107 and 108 projecting outwardly from opposite sides of thelower and upper ends of truss members 74 and 78. Bar members 107 and 108are laterally spaced from outer supports 73 and 77 of end portions 42and 46 to accommodate the outer edge portion of the outer support ofanother web whereby the outer edge portion of the outer support of anadjacent web can be inserted and held between bar members 107 and 108and outer supports 73 and 77 of web 23 to secure the adjacent web to web23.

Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, a first modification of a web 123 used toconnect and hold panels 21 and 22 of insulating concrete form 20 inparallel spaced relation configured to receive pourable concrete tocreate a concrete wall in a building structure is shown. Web 123 has apair of ties 142 and 143 extending between end portions 124 and 126.Ties 142 and 143 have one or more laterally spaced projecting members149, 150, 151, 152, 153 and 154 defining grooves 156, 157, 158, 159,160, 161 and 162 adapted to receive and secure reinforcing bar tostrengthen and hold concrete located in insulating concrete foam 20 incompression.

Each projecting member 149 to 154 has a body 155 having a base 165 witha rib member 164 joined to a head member 164 and head members 166 and167. The side walls of body 155 are adapted to change in shape, indentand deform due to the application of force when reinforcing bar is movedinto grooves 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161 and 162. The outer ends ofhead member 163 and head members 166 and 167 extend into grooves 156 to162. The outer ends of head member 163 and head members 166 and 167 andthe deformation of body 155 prevents the reinforcing bar located ingrooves 156 to 162 from moving upward and out of grooves 156 to 162.

Depressions 168 and 169 in the outer ends of top 172 of tie 142 areadapted to accommodate reinforcing cords used in construction of aconcrete wall. Projecting members 170 and 171 extending upwardly fromtop 172 facilitate placement of reinforcing cords in depressions 168 and169.

Tie 142 has tab members 173 and 174 that extend outwardly from a side176 of tie 142. Tab members 173 and 174 are adapted to separate ties andpreventing warping of ties during shipping.

End portion 124 of web 123 has an inner support 127 and an outer support128 joined to a truss member 129 which extends between inner support 127and outer support 128. End portion 126 has an inner support 131 joinedto an outer support 132 with a truss member 133 extending between innersupport 131 and outer support 132. Outer supports 128 and 132 and trussmembers 129 and 133 of end portions 124 and 126 are adapted to belocated flush with the surfaces of or within foam panels 21 and 22 ofinsulating concrete form 20 whereby panels 21 and 21 may be laminated,if desired. The outer ends 177, 178, 179 and 181 of ties 142 and 143 arejoined to the outer surfaces of inner supports 127 and 131 of endportions 124 and 126 at vertical positions inwardly equidistant from thetop and bottom of web 123. Truss members 129 and 133 have a plurality oflongitudinal access slots 192 adapted to accommodate a strip member tolaterally reinforce insulating concrete form 20.

End portions 124 and 126 have transverse fasteners 182, 183, 184 and 185extending outwardly from truss members 129 and 133 for securing multiplewebs during shipping. Each transverse fasteners 182, 183, 184 and 185has a pair of bar members 186 and 187 extending transversely fromopposite sides of truss members 129 and 133 adjacent the top and bottomsof truss members 129 and 133. Bar members 186 and 187 are spacedlaterally from outer supports 128 and 132 whereby the outer edgeportions of end portions of adjacent webs can be inserted and retainedbetween bar members 186 and 187 and outer supports 128 and 132 of endportions 124 and 126 to secure the adjacent webs to web 123.

The outer ends of inner supports 127 and 131 have vertical fasteners188, 189, 190 and 191 adapted to releasably affix end portions 124 and126 of web 123 to adjacent webs of another insulating concrete form in areversible manner.

Referring to FIG. 13, a second modification of a web 223 connecting andholding panels 21 and 22 of insulating concrete form 20 in parallelspaced relation is shown. Web 223 has a pair of ties 242 and 243extending between inner supports 227 and 231. Ties 242 and 243 havelaterally spaced projecting members 250, 251 and 252 forming grooves forreceiving reinforcing bar. Projecting members 250, 251 and 252 have arms253 extending into the grooves adapted to prevent movement of thereinforcing bar out of the grooves. Depressions 268 and 269 in the outerends of ties 242 and 243 are used to accommodate and hold concrete wallconstruction reinforcing cords. Projecting members 270 and 271 extendingadjacent projecting members 250, 251 and 252 facilitate placement ofreinforcing cords in depressions 268 and 269.

The end portions of web 223 have inner supports 227 and 231 joined totruss members 229 extending between inner supports 227 and 231 and outersupports 228 and 232. The upper and lower ends of truss members 229 havevertical supports 292. Outer supports 228 and 232 and truss members 229are adapted to be located flush with the surfaces or within foam panels21 and 22 of insulating concrete form 20 allowing for panels 21 and 22to be laminated, if desired. The end portions of web 223 have fasteners282, 283, 284 and 285 extending outwardly from truss members 229 forfastening multiple webs during shipping. The outer ends of innersupports 227 and 231 have fasteners 288, 289, 290 and 291 useable toreleasably affix the end portions of web 223 to adjacent webs of otherinsulating concrete forms in a reversible manner.

Referring to FIGS. 14 to 16, a second modification of a web 301connecting and holding panels 21 and 22 of insulating concrete form 20in parallel spaced relation is shown. Web 301 has a pair of ties 342 and343 extending between inner supports 327 and 331. Ties 342 and 343 havelaterally spaced projecting members 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356,357, 358, 359, 370, 371, 372 and 373 forming grooves for receivingreinforcing bar. Projecting members 350 to 359 have arms extending intothe grooves adapted to prevent movement of the reinforcing bar out ofthe grooves.

End portions 324 and 326 of web 301 have inner supports 327 and 331joined to truss members 329 and 330. Truss members 329 and 330 extendbetween inner supports 327 and 331 and outer supports 328 and 332 of endportions 324 and 326 of web. Outer supports 328 and 332 and trussmembers 329 and 330 are adapted to be located within or flush with thesurfaces of foam panels 21 and 22 of insulating concrete form 20.

End portions 324 and 326 of web 301 have fasteners 382, 383, 384 and 385extending outwardly from truss members 329 and 330 for fasteningmultiple webs during shipping. The outer ends of inner supports 327 and331 have fasteners 388, 389, 390 and 391 for releasably affixing the endportions of web 301 to adjacent webs of other insulating concrete formsin a reversible manner.

The outer ends of ties 342 and 343 have swivel members 338, 339, 378 and379 connected to end portions 324 and 326 of web 301 with couplings 340,341, 344 and 345. Pivots 346, 347, 348 and 349 extending through bores312 in swivel members 334, 335, 336, 337, 374, 374, 376 and 377 ofcouplings 340, 341, 344 and 345 and swivel members 338, 339, 378 and 379of ties 342 and 343 pivotally connect ties 342 and 343 to couplings 340,341, 344 and 345 allowing web 301 to collapse for shipping. Pivots 346,347, 348 and 349 are held in position within and prevented frominadvertently falling out of bores 312 due to friction of additionalmaterial in bores 312 engageable with pivots 346, 347, 348 and 349.

Couplings 340, 341, 344 and 345 are movable along inner connectors 395on inner supports 327 and 331 to adjust the vertical position of ties342 and 343 in infinite increments within insulating concrete form 20 topositions ranging from the top of insulating concrete form 20 to thebottom of form 20, as desired. Couplings 340, 341, 344 and 345 areidentical in structure and function. The details of coupling 340 shownin FIG. 15 are included in couplings 341, 344 and 345. The followingdescription is directed to coupling 340. Coupling 340 has a channelshaped body 392 having an opening 393 for accommodating inner connector395 of inner support 327 of end portion 324. Pins 310 and 311 extendinginto opening 393 register in bores 396 of inner connector 395 to holdcoupling 340 at selected vertical positions. Body 392 has a bore 333adapted to receive a fastener for fastening coupling 340 to innerconnector 395 to lock the position of ties 342 and 343 within insulatingconcrete form 20, if desired. Swivel members 334 and 335 of coupling 340have ribs 314, 315, 316, 317, 318 and 319 located adjacent bore 312.Ribs 314, 315, 316, 317, 318 and 319 are fluted flange members extendingoutwardly from the top and bottom portions of body 392. The fluting ofbody 392 reduces the amount of material required to construct coupling340 while providing increased strength and durability of coupling 340.Upper rib 314 has an outwardly extending projection 313. Projection 313is adapted to engage projecting members 370, 371, 372 and 373 to limitpivotal movement of ties 342 and 343 and lock ties 342 and 343 in anopen fixed position. Projecting members 370, 371, 372 and 373 aresemi-rigid members having the ability to bend and flex out of engagementwith projection 313 and spring back to their original shapes andpositions. The size of projection 313 and the distance of projection 313to projecting members 370, 371, 372 and 373 is selected to balance theamount of force required to lock and unlock ties 342 and 343.

As shown in FIG. 16, inner connector 395 has multiple series ofvertically spaced indentations 398. Indentations 398 have an inwardlycurving shape. Indentations 398 can be made to have other shapes such asa rectangular channel shape. Inner connector 395 has a plurality ofvertically spaced faces 399 located between indentations 398 at selectedvertical positions to facilitate vertical arrangement of ties 342 and343 within insulating concrete form 20. Bores 396 extending throughinner connector 395 adjacent faces 399 accommodate pins 310 and 311 tohold couplings 340, 341, 344 and 345 at selected vertical positionsadjacent faces 399 and lock ties 342 and 343 into measured incrementswithin insulating concrete form 20. Truss members 329 and 330 have aplurality of longitudinal access slots 397 adapted to accommodateconcrete reinforcing strip material. Fasteners 394 extend into and formaccess slots 397 and retain the strip material in access slots 397. Theupper and lower ends of truss members 329 and 330 have vertical supports320, 321, 322 and 322.

Referring to FIG. 17, a modification of a coupling 440 useable topivotally connect ties 342 and 343 to end portions 342 and 326 of web301 is shown. Coupling 440 is movable along the length of innerconnector 395 on inner supports 327 and 331 of end portions 324 and 326to adjust the vertical height of ties 342 and 343 in infinite incrementswithin insulating concrete form 20, as desired. Coupling 440 has achannel shaped body 492 having an opening 493 for accommodating innerconnector 395. Body 492 has a pair of inwardly directed flanges 402 and403 extending into opening 493. The outer ends of flanges 402 and 403have pins 410 and 411 adapted to register in bores 396 in innerconnector 395 to hold coupling 440 at selected vertical positions on endportions 324 and 326. Bores 396 extend through inner connector 395adjacent vertically spaced faces 399 whereby coupling 440 is held atselected vertical positions adjacent faces 399 and ties 342 and 343 arelocked into measured increments within insulating concrete form 20. Pins410 and 411 are centrally located on flanges 402 and 403 whereby the topand bottom portions of coupling 440 are in mirror symmetry and coupling440 is reversible in assembly and use. Swivel members 434 and 435 ofcoupling 440 have ribs 414, 415, 416, 417, 418 and 419 surrounding bore412. Ribs 414, 415, 416, 417, 418 and 419 are fluted flange membersextending outwardly from the top and bottom portions of body 492. Pivots346, 347, 348 and 349 are adapted to extend through bore 412 in swivelmembers 434 and 435 of connector 440 and swivel members 338, 339, 378and 379 of ties 342 and 343 to pivotally connect ties 342 and 343 tocoupling 440 thereby allowing web 301 to be collapsed for shipping andstorage. Pivots 346, 347, 348 and 349 are held in position within bores412 due to friction of additional material in bores 412 engaging pivots346, 347, 348 and 349. Upper rib 414 and lower rib 419 have outwardlyextending projections 413 and 420. Projections 413 and 420 areengageable with projecting members 370, 371, 372 and 373 to limitpivotal movement of ties 342 and 343. Projecting members 370, 371, 372and 373 are adapted to bend or flex and be moved out of engagement withprojections 413 and 420, if desired, and spring back to their originalshapes and positions. The size of projections 413 and 420 and thedistance projections 413 and 420 are located from projecting members370, 371, 372 and 373 is predetermined to balance the force required tolock and unlock ties 342 and 343. Fastening means 404, 405 and 406extending outwardly from the side of body 492 of connector 440 areuseable to releasably affix connector 440 to other connectors forshipping and storage.

Alternatively, ties 342 and 343 may incorporate the features ofcouplings 340 and 440 in place of separate couplings 340 and 440. Ties342 and 343 may also include a joint and projections to lock the jointin place.

There has been shown and described several embodiments of the insulatingconcrete form apparatus of the invention. It is understood that changesand modifications in the insulating concrete forms and webs can be madeby persons skilled in the art without departing from the invention whichis defined in the following claims.

1. An insulating concrete form apparatus comprising: a pair of panelswith at least one web extending between the pair of panels, each panelof the pair of panels located in spaced relationship to each other, eachpanel of the pair of panels having a top surface and a bottom surface,each panel of the pair of panels having at least one first protrusionforming part of the top surface, each panel of the pair of panels havingat least one second protrusion forming part of the bottom surface, theat least one first protrusion being aligned with the at least one secondprotrusion whereby the pair of panels is adapted to be stacked eitherabove or below additional pairs of panels, the at least one firstprotrusion being in symmetry with the at least one second protrusion,the at least one web having at least one end portion, the at least oneend portion extending along at least one panel of the pair of panels,the at least one web having at least one tie extending to the at leastone end portion, the at least one end portion having an inner surface,the at least one tie being releasably connected to the at least one endportion whereby the at least one tie is moveable along the inner surfaceof the at least one end portion to one or more selected positionsbetween a top elevation and a bottom elevation of the at least one web,the at least one tie having at least one tie connector, the at least onetie connector having a channel shaped body extending over and around theinner surface of the at least one end portion to slidably connect the atleast one tie to the at least one end portion whereby the at least onetie connector is movable along a length of the at least one end portionto selectively adjust the lateral position of the at least one tiebetween the pair of panels.
 2. The insulating concrete form apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein: the channel shaped body of the at least one tieconnector has at least one channel to allow the at least one tie toremain in a lateral position relative to the at least one end portionwhile the at least one tie is being moved along the length of the atleast one end portion.
 3. The insulating concrete form apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein: the at least one tie has at least one swivel memberpivotally connected to the at least one tie connector allowing eachpanel of the pair of panels to move toward one another.
 4. Theinsulating concrete form apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the at least onetie has at least one body projecting from the at least one tie, the atleast one body adapted to receive a reinforcing bar, the at least onebody having a side wall adapted to deform when the reinforcing bar isreceived by the body.
 5. The insulating concrete form apparatus of claim1 wherein: the at least one tie has at least one body projecting fromthe at least one tie, the at least one body adapted to receive areinforcing bar, . the at least one body having at least one arm adaptedto engage the reinforcing bar and prevent movement of the reinforcingbar.
 6. The insulating concrete form apparatus of claim 1 wherein: theat least one web has at least one prong member, the at least one prongmember adapted to receive a strip member.
 7. The insulating concreteform apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the at least one end portion has aninner support and an outer support located in spaced relationship withthe inner support, and at least one truss member extending between theinner support and the outer support.
 8. The insulating concrete formapparatus of claim 1 wherein: at least one panel of the pair of panelshas at least one indicia orientated to indicate a position of the atleast one web extending between the pair of panels.
 9. The insulatingconcrete form apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the at least one tieconnector has at least one pin releasably connecting the at least onetie to the at least one end portion.
 10. The insulating concrete formapparatus of claim 1 wherein: the inner surface of the at least one endportion of the at least one web has an indentation, the at least one tieconnector having at least one pin, the at least one pin adapted toextend into the indentation to releasably connect the at least one tieto the at least one end portion.
 11. The insulating concrete formapparatus of claim 1 wherein: the at least one tie connector has atleast one pin, the at least one pin being centrally located on the atleast one tie connector.
 12. The insulating concrete form apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein: the at least one tie connector has at least one boreadapted to receive a fastener to prevent the at least one tie frommoving relative to the at least one end portion of the at least one web.13. The insulating concrete form apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the atleast one tie has at least one swivel member connected to the at leastone tie connector, the at least one swivel member having at least oneprojection, the at least one tie having at least one projecting member,the at least one projection engageable with the at least one projectingmember to hold the pair of panels in an open position.
 14. An insulatingconcrete form apparatus comprising: a first panel and a second panellocated in spaced relationship relative to the first panel, the firstpanel and the second panel each having a top surface and a bottomsurface, the first panel and the second panel each having at least onefirst protrusion forming a part of the top surface, the first panel andthe second panel each having at least one second protrusion forming apart of the bottom surface, the at least one first protrusion beingaligned with the at least one second protrusion whereby the first paneland the second panel are adapted to be stacked either above or belowadditional panels, the at least one first protrusion being in symmetrywith the at least one second protrusion, at least one web extendingbetween the first panel and the second panel, the at least one webhaving at least one end portion, the at least one end portion having aninner surface, the at least one end portion extending along at least oneof the first panel and the second panel, the at least one web having atleast one tie extending to the at least one end portion, the at leastone tie being releasably connected to the at least one end portionwhereby the at least one tie is moveable along the inner surface of theat least one end portion between a top elevation and a bottom elevationof the at least one web, the at least one tie having at least one tieconnector, the at least one tie connector extending over and around theinner surface of the at least one end portion to connect the at leastone tie to the at least one end portion, the at least one tie connectorbeing moveable along the inner surface of the at least one end portionto selectively adjust the lateral position of the at least one tiebetween the first panel and the second panel.
 15. The insulatingconcrete form apparatus of claim 14 wherein: the at least one tieconnector has at least one channel member accommodating the at least oneend portion adapted to allow the at least one tie to remain in lateralposition relative to the at least one end portion while the at least onetie connector is being moved relative to the at least one end portion.16. The insulating concrete form apparatus of claim 14 wherein: the atleast one tie connector has at least one pin releasably connecting theat least one tie to the at least one end portion.
 17. The insulatingconcrete form apparatus of claim 14 wherein: the at least one tie has atleast one swivel member pivotally connected to the at least one tieconnector to allow the first panel to be moved toward the second panel.18. The insulating concrete form apparatus of claim 14 wherein: the atleast one tie has at least one swivel member connected to the at leastone tie connector, the at least one swivel member having at least oneprojection, the at least one tie having at least one projecting member,the at least one projection being engageable with the at least oneprojecting member to hold the first panel and the second panel in anopen position.
 19. The insulating concrete form apparatus of claim 14wherein: at least one of the first panel and the second panel has atleast one indicia oriented to indicate a position of the at least oneweb extending between the first panel and the second panel.
 20. Theinsulating concrete form apparatus of claim 14 wherein: the at least onetie connector has at least one bore adapted to receive a fastener toprevent the at least one tie from moving relative to the at least oneend portion of the at least one web.
 21. The insulating concrete formapparatus of claim 14 wherein: the at least one tie connector having atleast one pin, the at least one pin adapted to extend into anindentation in the at least one end portion to releasably connect the atleast one tie to the at least one end portion of the at least one web.22. The insulating concrete form apparatus of claim 14 wherein: the atleast one tie connector has at least one pin, the at least one pin beingcentrally located on the at least one tie connector.
 23. A web for aninsulating concrete form apparatus comprising: a semi-rigid moldedplastic web member, the web member having a first end portion and asecond end portion opposite the first end portion, a tie extendingbetween the first end portion and the second end portion, the tie beingreleasably connected to the first end portion and the second end portionwhereby the tie is moveable along the first end portion and the secondend portion, the tie having a first tie connector attached to the firstend potion and a second tie connector attached to the second endportion, the first tie connector having a first channel shaped bodyextending over and around the first end portion to slideably connect thetie to the first end portion, the second tie connector having a secondchannel shaped body extending over and around the second end portion toslideably connect the tie to the second end portion, the first channelshaped body being movable along the first end portion and the secondchannel shaped body being movable along the second end portion toselectively adjust the lateral position of the tie between the first endportion and the second end portion of the web member.
 24. The web ofclaim 23 wherein: the first tie connector and the second tie connectorare moveable in tandem along the first end portion and the second endportion of the web member.
 25. The web of claim 23 wherein: the firstend portion and the second end portion each haves an inner support andan outer support located in a spaced relationship relative to the innersupport, and at least one truss member extending between the innersupport and the outer support.
 26. The web of claim 23 wherein: the tiehas at least one depression.
 27. The web of claim 23 including: at leastone prong member adapted to receive a strip member.
 28. The web of claim23 wherein: the tie has at least one body member projecting from the atleast one tie, the at least one body member adapted to receive areinforcing bar.
 29. The web of claim 23 wherein: the first tieconnector having at least one first pin, the second tie connector havingat least one second pin, the at least one first pin adapted toreleasably connect the tie to the first end portion, the at least onesecond pin adapted to releasably connected the tie to the second endportion.
 30. The web of claim 23 wherein: the first tie connector havingat least one first pin, the second tie connector having at least onesecond pin, the at least one first pin being centrally located on thefirst tie connector, the at least one second pin being centrally locatedon the second tie connector.
 31. A method of connecting a tie to an endportion of an insulating concrete form web comprising: providing a tieconnector, releasably connecting the tie to the end portion with the tieconnector whereby the tie is moveable along the end portion to one ormore selected positions between a top elevation and a bottom elevationof the insulating concrete form web, releasably connecting the tie tothe end portion with the tie connector thereby allowing the tieconnector to be moved along a length of the end portion, providing thetie connector with a channel shaped body, extending the channel shapedbody over and around the end portion to slideably connect the tie to theend portion, and locating the end portion of the tie in the channelshaped body whereby the tie is held in a lateral position relative tothe end portion while the tie connector is being moved relative to theend portion.
 32. The method of claim 31 including: providing the tieconnector with a pin, and releasably connecting the tie to the endportion with the pin.
 33. The method of claim 31 including: providingthe tie with a body projecting from the tie, and adapting the body toreceive a reinforcing bar.
 34. The method of claim 31 including:providing the tie with a prong member, and adapting the prong member toreceive a strip member.
 35. The method of claim 31 including: providingthe tie connector with a swivel member, pivotally connecting the swivelmember to the tie thereby allowing the insulating concrete form web tomove between a closed position and an open position, and locking theinsulating concrete form web in the open position.